Niepokalanow monastery is located some 40 km west of Warsaw. Also known as City of Our Mary Immaculate, it was founded in 1927 by St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe.
The monastery served both as a home for the conventual brothers as well as the center for evangelization movement, called Knights of the Immaculata, founded by St. Maximilian.
During World War II, he was imprisoned by the Nazis, then martyred at Auschwitz in 1941, when he offered to give his life for the life of another prisoner. His heroism led to creating the cult of St. Maximilian and made Niepokalanow an important place of pilgrimage.
Pope John Paul II canonized Maximilian in 1982, saying, "He bore witness to Christ and to love."
During the tour, you will visit the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the monastic cell of St. Maximilian, the Sanctuary of Maximilian Kolbe and the museum.
The museum houses documents and photographs illustrating the life and work of the saint and the collection from his mission. About half a million pilgrims come here each year.